Fence post



May 7, 1957 B. K. SWANSON FENCE POST Filed Aug. 24, 1953 wil'ness United States Patent FENCE POST Bernard K. Swanson, Centralia, Mo. Application August 24, 1953, Serial No. 376,085

8 Claims. (Cl. 174-158) This invention relates to field fence posts and more particularly to fence posts that are adapted to support wire strands that are in electrical communication with a source of electricity.

Posts for supporting strands of fence wire are used in great numbers on almost all farms, ranches and like. In recent times the wooden post is rapidly being replaced by metal ones, and this is especially so when the fence is either a temporary one, or a fence that is electrified. The chief objections to such posts now, on the market are that they are costly to manufacture, difficult to set or remove and have no quick method of wire connection. As to method of wire fastening, the usual methods are staples, clamps, triggers and like mechanism which must be first detached or opened, the wire strand placed therein, and the keeper then replaced or bolted to the post. Obviously such attaching means require much time and labor, and due to the metal rusting characteristics of the entire unit, the same are often so fouled as to not be operable. Furthermore, some electrically charged fence wire holding posts will only accommodate one strand of wire.

Therefore, the principal object of my invention is to provide a fence post that has no moving parts and a wire strand or strands may be attached thereto or detached therefrom instantly and almost without effort on the part of the user.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a fence post that may be quickly set up in the ground and ready for use.

Still further objects of this invention are to provide a fence post that is economical in manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my post,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a fence being supported by a plurality of my posts,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the upper end portion of my post showing the method of attaching or detaching the upper wire strand to or from the post, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of the center portion of the post illustrating how the second wire strand is secured thereto or removed therefrom.

In these drawings I have used the numeral to generally designate my post and which is made substantially from one length of iron rod stock. This elongated rod may be sharpened at its lower end for ground penetration, and, if desired, may have ground engaging fins 11 of any desired style to aid in stabilizing the post in a vertical condition once it has been set into the ground. Also,

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if desired, horizontal plates or fins may be employed to further stabilize the post and/or to limit its depth penetration at the time it is pushed into the ground. In the main, however, my invention resides in the fact that my post and means of wire attachment is formed from a single length of inexpensive rod. The bending of the rod to accomplish this is as follows: Near its center portion I bend it forwardly to form a horizontal portion 12, then downwardly and back under itself to form the horizontal parallel portion 13 which is directly below the portion 12. Prior to the portion 13 reaching the vertical portion of the main post, the rod is bent downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path to form the loose or open spiral portion, which is at least one complete revolution and forms a horizontal eye for the reception of the wire strand as shown in Fig. 4. From the portion 14 the red extends upwardly to function as the upper portion 15 of the post. Inasmuch as the portion 14 is of open spiral construction, there will be a space between the upwardly extending length of the portion 14 and the two horizontal portions 12 and 13. To place a strand of wire 16 through the coil loop portion 14, it is not necessary to thread it therethrough. Instead the length of wire is passed through the space between the portions 12 and 13 and the upwardly extending part of the portion 14 as shown in Fig. 4. Thus by merely lowering the strand it will reside through the eye of the coil 14, and when the strand is tightened, it cannot become accidentally detached from its holding a supporting coil means. Obviously a strand of wire 16 may be laid along side of a row of my posts and by the simple twist of the wrist of the user, the strand of wire at any point between its two ends may be strung through the post coil 14. The removal of the strand is in reverse and as easily accomplished. I find that with my post, the posts may be set in spaced relationship as shown in Fig. 1, and the wire or wires attached, for a given field, in a fraction of the time and labor required herebefore. The numeral 17 designates a strengthening web formed where the post is bent to make the portion 12. The wire strand 16 is the lower Wire strand if two strands are required. The method of securing the upper strand 18 is similar. The upper portion of the post is curved over, down, and then up to form the open coil spiral or loop portion 19. To attach the strand 18 it is placed under the opening of the coil 19, and then its length brought over the extreme top of the post as shown in Fig. 3. This attachment or the detachment of the same only takes a second of time to accomplish. The existence of the portions 12 and 13 of the lower wire fastening means eliminates the necessity of the passing of the lower wire over the top of the post as in case of the upper wire. However, the upper wire is near the top of the post and the movement over the post top is therefore not a problem.

Inasmuch as my post is particularly adapted to the supporting of electrified fencing, I have threaded tubular insulation onto both coil portions 14 and 19 as shown in the drawings.

From the above it will be noted that the post proper and fastening means proper, are formed from a single one piece rod and that there are no moving parts.

In driving the post into the ground the portion 12 provides an ideal rigid portion upon which to hammer or push.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my fence post without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a fence post, an elongated vertical rod post having in its center portion, its length bent first horizontally transversely. of its longitudinal axis, then back uponitself, thence downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path to form a loose coil for the reception of a strand of wire therethrough.

2. In a fence post, an elongatcdtvertical rodtpost having in its center portion, its length bent first horizontally transversely of its longitudinal axis, then back upon itself, thence downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path to form a loose coil for the reception of a strand of wire therethrough, and an insulating element covering the coil portion of said post.

- 3. In a fence post, an elongated vertical rod post having at least two loose coil portions for the reception of a strand of wire therethrough, said post at, the lower of said two coil portions being bent first horizontally transversely of its longitudinal axis, then back upon itself, thence downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path toform said lower coil portion.

4. In a fence post, an elongated vertical rod post having at least two loose coil portions for the reception of a strand of wire therethrough, said post at the lower of said two coil portions being bent first horizontally transversely of its longitudinal axis, then back upon itself, thence downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path to form said lower coil portion, and insulating elements covering the coil portions of said post.

,5. In a fence post, an elongated vertical rod post having at least two loose coil portions for the reception of a strand of wire therethrough, said post at the lower of said two coil portions being bent first horizontally transversely of its longitudinal axis, then back upon itself, thence downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path to form said lower coil portion, insulating elements covering the coil portionsof said post, and a stabilizing means secured to the lower end of said post.

6. In a fence post, an elongated vertical rod post having at least two loose coil portions for the reception of a strand of wire therethrough, said post at the lower of said two coil portions being bent first horizontally transversely of its longitudinal axis, then back upon itself, thence downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path to form said lower coil portion, and a stabilizing means secured to the lower end of said post.

7. In a fence post, an elongated vertical rod post having in itsrcenter portion, its length bent first horizontally transversely of its longitudinal axis, then back upon itself, thence downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path to form a loose coil for the reception of a strand of wire therethrough, an insulating element covering the coil portion of said post, and a stabilizing means secured to thelower end of said post.

8. In a fence post, an elongated vertical rod post having in itscenter portion, its length bent first horizontally transversely of its longitudinal axis, then back upon itself, thence downwardly and then upwardly in a curved path to formv a loose coil for the reception of a strand of wire therethrough, and a stabilizing means secured to the lower end of said post.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS.

2,430,259v Tishota Nov. 4, 1947 2,536,341 Asher Jan. 2, l 2,650,454 Wurdinger Sept. 1, 1953 2,657,096 Holmes Oct. 27, 1953 wi l); .1 

